how to become a canadian citizen

Citizenship Canada has a special process for the 2nd generation. It can be achieved directly from abroad or inside Canada by applying to one of Canada’s multiple immigration programs. By using our site, you agree to our. be a permanent resident; have lived in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years; have filed your taxes, if you need to; pass a test on your rights, responsibilities and knowledge of Canada; prove your language skills; Depending on your situation, there may be additional requirements. No. References Canada and the United States have very similar jus soli law. (refer to the article Canadian Citizenship Eligibility) Step 2 - Fill out the application. Find out if you’re eligible wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Can my husband and I move to Canada if I want to work for Canadian border patrol? How to Become a Canadian Citizen - IRCC webpage explaining the citizenship application process and eligibility requirements. So, before we discuss how you can go and become a holder of Canadian citizenship, let’s take a look at the numerous different factors that could influence whether or not you actually want to become a Canadian citizen. No, they still have to go through the process of attaining a permanent resident card. Time to eat some poutine! You cannot be deemed a "security risk" or otherwise criminally prohibited. Thank you! So, before we discuss how you can go and become a holder of Canadian citizenship, let’s take a look at the numerous different factors that could influence whether or not you actually want to become a Canadian citizen. While residency offers definite advantages, becoming a Canadian citizen offers many more benefits worth pursuing. There are many ways in which you can become a permanent resident. According to a recent statistical information, about 150,000 permanent residents become Canadian citizens every year. You won't be able to obtain a job in Canada without at least living there though, so you can look for jobs as a tourist but you won't be able to get one. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. To become a permanent resident, people can choose between several avenues. You need to first be a permanent resident and have lived in Canada for three out of the last five years, among other … All stereotypes aside, you really do have to know Canadian history. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If you marry a Canadian, you can become a citizen. It used to be that permanent residents needed to accumulate a total of four years of residency out of six years, but this has since been lowered, making citizenship much easier and faster to obtain for permanent residents. use basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses. To apply for Canadian citizenship, you must have lived in Canada as a permanent resident for at least four out of the six years (1,260 days) right before the day you apply. The Canadian Citizenship Act mandates that you must be 18 or older and be a permanent resident of Canada. However, you can't just pack up your belongings, scale the Niagara, plop down, and start counting the days (unfortunately, the government frowns on that). Permanent residents don't always become citizens. It's Canada, oh Canada....", "Wonderfully specific. For enquiries, contact us. It is important t note that Canada supports dual citizenship. Becoming a Canadian citizen is tough. I have been researching the similarities and differences between Canadian and U.S. immigration and I will summarize information gathered from various online sources here. In order to apply for Canadian citizenship you must: 1. There are several conditions that must be met in order to determine eligibility: age, permanent resident status, language requirement, physical presence test, and passing the Canadian citizenship test. Subscribe to my new channel !www.youtube.com/user/TheRMarkhyChannel If one of your grandparents is a Canadian citizen, you might be eligible to become a dual citizen of Canada and the USA. This article has been viewed 354,521 times. You could be running a business, get married to a Canadian citizen, have Canadian descent in your nuclear family, or be a high-skilled worker. They go through a number of steps as part of the application process that may eventually help them become citizens of this prosperous country . Often the processing takes practically forever. To apply for Canadian citizenship, you must have lived in Canada as a permanent resident for at least four out of the six years (1,260 days) right before the day you apply. To become a citizen of Canada, these are some necessary hurdles to cross: You must be a permanent resident in Canada. The sooner you start, the better. 8 steps to applying for Canadian citizenship. Quality of Life. You must be physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days during the five years right before the date you applied. If you’re a permanent resident, you don’t automatically become a citizen; the degrees of becoming a citizen are higher and much more intense. Get a badge for exploring all the steps to apply for Canadian citizenship! Learn from a financial expert: How to Raise Your Credit Score. Immigrant Population in Canada. Marrying a Canadian citizen doesn’t give you citizenship.. If you want to become a Canadian citizen, you must follow the same steps as everyone else. First, you have to become a permanent resident. You'll need photocopies of transcripts, school records, travel records, your Maple Leaf Card, your ID card, and proof of language evidence, in case you were curious. It's also a mandatory step -- you cannot go from staying in Canada on a temporary visa to becoming a citizen. A judge will determine whether or not your skills are up to par. Marrying a Canadian citizen also does not automatically make one a Canadian citizen. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I am from Africa. You have to be physically present last 1095 days in Canada within the five years before applying for citizenship. If you’re accepted, you’ll be notified to appear for your citizenship oath. There are 5 main steps involved in becoming a Canadian citizen: Step 1 – Permanent Residency. Quality of Life. During these 5 years, you should have also filed taxes for at least 3 years and paid all income tax owed to the government. We’re testing a new online citizenship application. They can do this by going through the Spousal Sponsorship route. In addition, you must be able to communicate in English and/or French and have basic knowledge of Canadian history and customs. Canada and the United States have very similar jus soli law. There are several conditions that must be met in order to determine eligibility: age, permanent resident status, language requirement, physical presence test, and passing the Canadian citizenship test. ; Preparation Stage – Your forms are properly prepared by certified Immigration Consultants. Find out if you’re eligible You must also be physically present for at least 183 days during each of four calendar years that are fully or partially within the six years immediat… The country is situated in […] High quality of life is definitely one of the main reasons people apply for Canadian citizenship. What if I am in the commonwealth country as a citizen? The half you receive back should be filled out and attached to your application. This includes processing of the complete application, the citizenship test, interview and ceremony. Provide proof that you know how to speak and write in 1 of Canada's official languages (either English or French) 2. Recently Married to a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident and Want to Move to Canada? Have lived in Canada as a PR for at least 1,095 days out of the 5 years before you apply 4. Canada is one of the countries thousands of people are always eager to explore various opportunities ranging from employment to education and tourism. Warnings U.S. citizens wishing to renounce their citizenship will be charged a $450 fee for formal renunciation processing. If you do not fill out everything correctly and include everything you need, it will get sent back to you. Can I become a Canadian citizen if I'm autistic? So don't miss it! Under Canadian nationality law any person born to a Canadian citizen parent is automatically a Canadian citizen. be a permanent resident; have lived in Canada for at least 3 out of the last 5 years (1,095 days) have filed your taxes, if you need to; pass a citizenship test; prove your language skills in English or French; Other requirements may apply. "Clearly explained with slight tongue-in-cheek air. ; Verification Stage – The necessary documentation is collected and evaluated. You and your husband both would need to apply for citizenship if you both want to be permanent citizens of Canada, but you would also need a Canadian Visa to work in Canada. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Canadian nationality (French: Nationalité canadienne) is regulated by the Citizenship Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-29) since 1977. ; Authorized by the Government of Canada – Colin Singer has been a licensed immigration lawyer in good standing with a Canadian Law Society for over 25+ years. There is no EASY way to gain Canadian Citizenship. As long as you can meet the requirements as stated, then there should be no problem. Last Updated: October 21, 2020 However, you can also pay the fees at a financial institution in Canada. If you choose the in-person method, you will need to fill out a payment receipt form (IMM 5401). Once your application and test are done and you've paid your fees, you will have to wait for a decision, which can take up to 25 months. Live for at least six (6) years in that residence. Many Americans joke that they want to move north of the border to escape the political circus at home. The audio version comes in English and French, and, unfortunately, isn't read by Howie Mandel, Leonhard Cohen, or Avril Lavigne. Can my husband move to Canada with me if I visited him in August of 2016 and we decided to get married in December of 2016? We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Canada is considered one of the best countries in the world to live in, consistently landing in the top 10 in United Nations rankings. Can someone who is not a citizen move a family to Canada? The 6 Steps: What I need to do to become a Canadian Citizen. Immigration Attorney Profile – Colin Singer is an experienced authority on all aspects of Canadian immigration. To become a Canadian citizen, most applicants must. This must be within a period of five years before you proceed for your citizenship application and during which you are already a permanent resident. Steps to become a Canadian citizen. In this application, the individual must demonstrate that he or she has a parent who is a Canadian citizen. This means that even if they were born outside of Canada and have never set foot in Canada, that individual could be a Canadian citizen. The bar for citizenship is higher. If you do have dual citizenship, there are benefits. This is not something to jump to -- make sure you're 110% positive this is the track you want to take. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Find out if you’re eligible You need to meet a lot of requirements to apply for Canadian citizenship. If I marry a Canadian do you become a Canadian citizen? You still have to go through the process of attaining a permanent resident card. But no, not easy. 1970, c. C-19) in 1977, the Act has gone through four significant amendments, in 2007, 2009, 2015, and 2017. In some cases, many foreigners decide they would like to become a permanent resident and eventually a Canadian citizen down the road. Why become a Canadian citizen? If English or French isn't your native tongue (or close to it), Canada's immigration website has a list of documents it will accept as proof that you meet the language requirement. There isn’t a special process for spouses of Canadian citizens. To learn more, such as how long you need to stay in Canada before you can apply to become a citizen, keep reading the article! Attaining a PR status; Staying in the country for a duration of 3 years; Getting a thorough knowledge of Canadian laws and way of life; Filling up and submission of citizen application As a permanent resident (PR) in Canada, you enjoy many of the benefits that Canadian citizens have. The Act determines who is, or is eligible to be, a citizen of Canada.Having replaced the previous Canadian Citizenship Act (S.C., 1946, c. 15; R.S.C. Get a badge for exploring all the steps to apply for Canadian citizenship! They include: Record of Landing (IMM 1000), OR; Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292, or IMM 5688), AND; Permanent Resident Card (PRC), if you have one. As stated previously, you'll receive 1/2 a day's credit for every day spent in Canada prior to becoming a permanent resident. After approving Canadian Citizenship, the person who has to attend a formal program to take the Oath is first and foremost to become a citizen in Canada. To create this article, 39 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. We Can Help! You will receive your Certificate of Canadian Citizenship at the ceremony. 8 steps to applying for Canadian citizenship. Luckily, we are here to help you. Becoming a Canadian citizen is not as easy as becoming a citizen of other countries, but by following the laws that govern legal citizenship, you can also call yourself a Canadian citizen. This is called meeting the residency requirement. This article has been viewed 354,521 times. People living in America can consider the option of living in the neighboring country, Canada, because of the various benefits like universal healthcare, free education, maternal and parental leave and old age supplemental income. A lot of people want to become a citizen of Canada over the year. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Benefits of Becoming a Canadian Citizen. Learn how processing times are calculated. From the point they receive your application and you become a citizen, it currently is estimated to take 25 months. To become a Canadian citizen, you may need to attend an interview with a citizenship official or a hearing with a citizenship judge, to review your documentation and/or test your language fluency. Have some sort of visa. We should all practically revere Canada -- did we mention the free healthcare and not-shut-down government? {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Become-a-Canadian-Citizen-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-a-Canadian-Citizen-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Become-a-Canadian-Citizen-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1135531-v4-728px-Become-a-Canadian-Citizen-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"